Having Pen y Fan first is actually reverting to the original pattern from 2008 to 2016; in 2017 we moved Fan y Big to the Saturday to coincide with the Llanfrynach Village Fete. But since Covid times that relationship no longer exists, and we felt the original order worked best, with the shorter race on day 1.

We've reversed the Fan y Big race as well, we were getting a bit bored of it and fancied a change! We recce'd the course clockwise and loved it. You get the road over and done with at the start, you still get the "do I take the shortcut" dilemma on the tops, and the descent is fantastic. We might alternate directions in future years, if people like this direction.

Let us know which you prefer after this year's races!

@ Pen y Fan

The forecast is mixed, with a good chance of rain, high winds on the high ground, and severely reduced visibility on the hill. Or it might be a sunny spell, but we all must plan for the worst. Therefore we will be requiring full kit at Pen y Fan, that is:

• Bumbag or rucksack
• Full windproof body cover (i.e. jacket and long trousers)
• Compass
• Map of the route (can be picked up at registration)
• Whistle

For the up-to-date mountain weather forecast see http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/mountain-forecasts/brecon-beacons#?tab=mountainWeather

Runners without the required kit will be disqualified.

@ Fan y Big

The same applies - we will be requiring full kit as shown above. Fan y Big is a longer race, without drink stations, so we would also recommend carrying fluids and emergency food.

Runners without the required kit will be disqualified.

Parking and getting to the races

@ Pen y Fan

Cwm Llwch is accessed by tiny confusing lanes - please allow plenty of time to find your way, and bring a map.  There is always pressure on parking spaces, so please share transport where possible. You can find relevant information and maps on the race page.

When you arrive, please try to park in the area on the left of the track. Overflow parking will be available further up the track, beyond the large boulder that says "no vehicles beyond this point"(!) but the ground is softer.

@ Fan y Big

Please don't park in Llanfrynach village - this annoys the locals and makes thing hard for us. Please find the race parking field (it is free).

Registration

@ Pen y Fan

It is a good 15 minutes walk from registration to the start. Please register by 11.00.

@ Fan y Big

In the Village Hall, 3 minutes walk from the parking field, which is also where the race starts. Please register by 10.15.

Any questions? Contact us using this page on the web site, or on 01874 622000 / 07984 807186, or post on our Facebook page.

Good luck!

Crispin, Naomi and Mark

http://www.mensfitness.co.uk/races-events/4370/is-fell-running-britains-most-extreme-sport

Now the bad news... we've increased prices by £1 for each race, so that we can pay the farmers for parking out of the entry fees we receive. OK not such bad news really, as we collected money for parking anyway at Fan y Big, so including it in the entry fee will save that particular hassle.

Overall, because there are more runners than cars, we will collect a little more revenue than before, and we will use this for refreshments and the prize fund.

It's the first price increase since we took over organising the Pen y Fan race in 2006 and since we started the the Fan y Big race in 2007, so we hope people find it reasonable.

+£1 ⇒ ↑ + ↑

I hobbled round my second race since breaking the knee, and just clinched the V40 prize in about 1:25.

Emma Bayliss won the ladies race, and Mynydd Du won the male and female team prizes.

More photos will come later from Ali Tye. Now to process the results…

We hope Gerry Ashton makes a speedy recovery after his bad tumble on the descent, and thanks to Emily Rose for helping him off the hill.